?Interval between Covid Booster & Biologic infusion

[Wangpaupau]

Good Morning everyone. I am sorry if this question might have cropped up many time before!

My daughter received a letter from Rheumatology today to say that funding for her 2nd cycle of

Biologic infusion have been approved. Last cycle was in March 2022. She had her flu vacc last

Friday 4th November. She hasn't got a date yet for the infusion which I suspect hopefully

maybe in a few weeks time.

Hoping that it doesn't clash with her arranged cataract surgery and vitreous haemorrhage washout

on 1st December.! She is hoping it will be good if the infusion date offered will be after her eye

surgery. So should she have her 5th Covid Booster tomorrow? 4th dose was in Feb2022 . She

had Covid in June 2022 and had the antiviral infusion. I phoned the Rheumatology helpline but

the person I spoke to wasn't sure ...couldn't provide any useful answers.

So wondering any of you are able to help from your past experience ? Many Thanks

[Jackie1947]

If things clash you can rearrange infusions. Best to get medical advice if in doubt because we aren't medically trained and can only go on personal circumstances.

[sunnyweek]

I'm having my 5th covid jab on Monday 14th November.

My biologic retuximab infusion is Wednesday 7th December, so just over 3 weeks difference. My rheumatologist said two weeks would be ok but I didn't feel that was enough.

[AgedCrone in reply to sunnyweek]

I’m not advising you…but I had a Covid vaccine Nov 21 & Rtx infusion 6 weeks later in Jan 22….after 6 very successful years on Rtx that infusion did not work.My B cells have still not repopulated & I very much regret having the infusion so close to the vaccination.

I do wonder if more is really known now on timing…most of what I read says mine was too soon.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to AgedCrone]

I think you’re right and it was too soon for you. I waited a month after my second vaccine and then went for my Rtx infusion. Advice of the rheumy. My two failed Pfizer’s in early 2021 didn’t affect the Rtx though. My B cells took from end of April 2021 (my last and final Rtx single infusion) till mid March 2022 to show a level of return. I’m still having them monitored.

[sunnyweek in reply to AgedCrone]

I would prefer to leave it longer but other medical things this time means the timing is off. Its 11 months since my last retuximab. Last year I waited 3 weeks from covid vaccine to retux and retux worked.

I understand what you are saying and its probably right, I'm sure my consultant wouldn't say two weeks again, as I think that's far too short a gap. Any other time I'd prefer to leave a bigger gap. I'm starting to flare and daren't leave retux any longer than December. So fingers crossed.

[AgedCrone]

Your daughter must discuss all these different procedures with her rheumy team….each procedure may have a different answer….& tbh every doctor seems to have a different opinion.

This problem is not an exact science.

I got a Covid Vaccination first & had a Rtx infusion 6 weeks later…..this was on doctor’s advice. ….and I haven’t felt really well since….and the Rtx infusion did not work.

So do tell her to speak to her doctors with all the necessary information.

Getting it wrong has proved very problematic for me…however I am a lot older than your daughter…but have no other serious health problems.

[Wangpaupau in reply to AgedCrone]

Good morning Thank you Agedcrone and the other kind ladies who have replied to my post and offered advice & suggestions. This morning my daughter went for her 5th Covid booster. In March 2022 she had a 3 week gap between her 4th Covid booster & her biologic infusion. Sorry to hear that the infusion have not worked for you.Following my daughter's 1st cycle of Ocrelizumab infusion, it took a good mths to notice any difference with her joint pains. She feels in need for the 2nd cycle.

As you rightly say, with advice re:covid, different Dr's will have different opinions and advice so really no definitive answers..